NEW YEAR LIFELINE FOR VALE

PORT

- Clive Youlton

Vale won for the first time at home in League One since September 20 as they routed inform Blackpool 5-1.It was a vital first victory in 13 attempts for the managerless Valiants who scored all five goals in the second half against 10 men to give themselves a new year lifeline in their bid to stay in the division.

It was the first time Vale had scored a league goal at Vale Park in 103 days as well as only the second time they've managed to score in a League One game in their past 11.

It was also the first time they had come back from a goal down in the league to win a game in almost 12 months.

There was a parallel too as their last home league win came against Mansfield Town who also had a man sent off early, as Blackpool did here just before halftime when skipper James Husband was dismissed. It had a big impact on the outcome.

The victory had no bearing on their league position as they remained anchored to the foot of the table but significantly the deficit to safety was cut from 11 points to nine by the close of play.

In charge for his second game as Vale's interim manager, Jamie Smith made just one change to the Vale team that lost at Bradford City, with Marvin Johnson fit again and replacing Jaheim Headley who dropped to the bench.

That meant the Waine train was derailed as Ben Waine did not make the squad.

Ben Garrity, Liam Gordon, Jordan Gabriel and Funso Ojo were still missing as was Ruari Paton.

Blackpool had won four and drawn one of their previous five games and therefore came into this game in tremendous form. But they had lost eight of their last 11 league games against the Valiants at Vale Park.

After a wonderful tribute to honour those Vale and Blackpool fans who have been lost last year, with thoughts also for those departed in years gone by, Vale kicked off on a wet and windy afternoon in Burslem.